Johannesburg – MTN’s annual employee volunteerism programme, 21 Days of Y’ello Care, which ended on 21 June saw thousands of employees from 20 countries across the MTN footprint taking part in various activities to impact the lives of the communities around them.

The initiatives ranged from clean-up campaigns, to building training institutions, refurbishing schools and libraries, establishing ICT centres, running health awareness campaigns, supporting orphans and raising funds for worthy causes.

The highlight of this year’s programme however, was the Global Y’ello Career Day held across 19 of the company’s operating companies. The career day was the perfect way to end a successful 21 days of employee volunteerism, with MTN joining forces with public and private sector entities to prepare young people for the future of work, by sharing insights into the digital future.

The youth were educated and enlightened about how technological advancements are reshaping the world as we know it, and the skills and competencies they need to acquire to succeed in the future. They were also given practical tips to help them bolster their employment prospects, and introduced to the concept and practice of entrepreneurship.

Reflecting on the career day, Miranda Davids, MTN Group Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Manager said: “The idea of the global career day was born out of our desire to support governments and other stakeholders to reduce the digital skills gap among the youth in our markets, so that they can take advantage of the opportunities presented by new technology.” She also lauded the efforts of all MTN employees who contributed to the success of this year’s edition of Y’ello Care, adding that it serves to strengthen the company’s community development efforts, particularly those aimed at uplifting the youth, who often feel marginalised and excluded from the digital economy.

During the 21 days some MTNers who operate in trying conditions rose to the challenge to make a difference to so many people’s lives, for instance, MTN Syria held Ramadhan Iftar for more than 300 orphans in Damascus, while MTNers in Afghanistan worked together to launch a capacity building centre, and in Sudan employees provided support to low income families by providing small urban farming units to be used as food sources and a means for generating income.

Other operations like MTN Business Kenya and MTN in Ghana engaged in activities aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability; Kenyan employees installed a bio-digester, to produce biogas for catering classes at a training centre while MTN Ghana collected plastic bottles for recycling at the James Town Beach in Accra. These are just a few of the activities that MTNers engaged in, but that will transform the lives of thousands of people.

All MTN operations that participated in Y’ello Care 2018 stand a chance to win monetary prizes, which will be re-invested into CSI or community upliftment programmes in their countries. These include the Group President and CEO prize of US$100 000, and first and second runner up prizes of US$30 000 each. Winners will be announced in the latter part of 2018.
– Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs

For more information, please contact:
Karen Byamugisha on +27 (0) 83 214 3685 or at Karen.byamugisha@mtn.com mtngrouppressoffice@mtn.com
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